Did God show favoritism to the Isrelites? And why did He command them to kill people in battles?

"The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuteronomy 7:7-9

"After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people"  Deuteronomy 9:4-6

 

"Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel!"  Ezekiel 36:31-32

 

"...Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’

Ezekiel 36:36

Understand this...God chose the Israelites, just as He chose you and I...out of pure Grace!
 

When God commanded the Israelites to overtake a land and kill people it was not because the Israelites were superior, God was administering punishment on the inhabitants of these lands for their wickedness. Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses...now choose life so that you may live!" Deuteronomy 11:26-28 explains, "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse...the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God...The curse if you disobey..."

 

So what have we learned? 

 

"And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today...

 for your own good?"~ Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ~

Humble Yourself...Choose Blessings...Choose Life...Obey God

 

 For your Own Good!